Virtual application manager

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for managing applications over a network between a server system and client computers. In one example, the method involves receiving user login information from a client computer, then accessing on the server system a user profile associated with the login information. The user profile includes a user environment configuration for a client environment. Transport protocols are selected based on the user profile. The transport protocols are protocols for transporting information between the server system and the client computer. The user environment configuration stored on the server system is then synchronized with a client environment configuration on the client computer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 60/577,148, filed Jun. 3, 2004, entitled “Virtual Management System”, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/912,652, entitled “Virtual Distributed File System”, filed Aug. 4, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety; and concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Transaction Based Virtual File System Optimized For High-Latency Network Connections”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to software applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to managing software applications over a network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, the process of installing and updating applications as well as sharing information on a plurality of computers was arduous and time-consuming. Professionals would install software on each computer using compact discs (CDs), network shares or other similar methods. As mentioned, this is time-consuming as well as difficult to synchronize throughout an entire company. With the advent of computer networking, where a plurality of computers communicate together, the process became much more streamlined. Specifically, two techniques for delivering applications have been developed over the years, remote execution and local delivery.

In a remote execution embodiment, a user accesses software which is loaded and executed on a remote server under the control of the user. One example is the use of Internet-accessible CGI programs which are executed by Internet servers based on data entered by a client. A more complex system is the Win-to-Net system provided by Menta Software. This system delivers client software to the user which is used to create a Microsoft® Windows® style application window on the client machine. The client software interacts with an application program executing on the server and displays a window, which corresponds to one which would be shown if the application were installed locally. The client software is further configured to direct certain I/O operations, such as printing a file, to the client's system, to replicate the “feel” of a locally running application. Other remote-access systems, such as provided by Citrix Systems, are accessed through a conventional Internet Browser or a proprietary client and present the user with a “remote desktop” generated by a host computer which is used to execute the software.

Since the applications are already installed on the server system, remote execution permits the user to access the programs without transferring a large amount of data. However, this type of implementation requires the supported software to be installed on the server. Thus, the server must utilize an operating system which is suitable for the hosted software. In addition, the server must support separately executing program threads for each user of the hosted software. For complex software packages, the necessary resources can be significant, limiting both the number of concurrent users of the software and the number of separate applications which can be provided.

In a local delivery embodiment, the desired application is packaged and downloaded to the user's computer. Preferably, the applications are delivered and installed as appropriate using automated processes. After installation, the application is executed. Various techniques have been employed to improve the delivery of software, particularly in the automated selection of the proper software components to install and initiation of automatic software downloads. In one technique, an application program is broken into parts at natural division points, such as individual data and library files, class definitions, etc., and each component is specially tagged by the program developer to identify the various program components, specify which components are dependent upon each other, and define the various component sets which are needed for different versions of the application.

Once such tagging format is defined in the Open Software Description (“OSD”) specification, jointly submitted to the World Wide Web Consortium by Marimba Incorporated and Microsoft Corporation on Aug. 13, 1999. Defined OSD information can be used by various “push” applications or other software distribution environments, such as Marimba's Castanet product, to automatically trigger downloads of software and ensure that only the needed software components are downloaded in accordance with data describing which software elements a particular version of an application depends on.

Although on-demand local delivery and execution of software using OSD/push techniques is feasible for small programs, such as simple Java applets, for large applications, the download time can be prohibitively long. Thus, while suitable for software maintenance, this system is impractical for providing local application services on-demand because of the potentially long time between when the download begins and the software begins local execution.

In the more recent past, attempts have been made to use streaming technology to deliver software to permit an application to begin executing before it has been completely downloaded. Streaming technology was initially developed to deliver audio and video information in a manner which allowed the information to be output without waiting for the complete data file to download. For example, a full-motion video can be sent from a server to a client as a linear stream of frames instead of a complete video file. As each frame arrives at the client, it can be displayed to create a real-time full-motion video display. However, unlike the linear sequences of data presented in audio and video, the components of a software application can be executed in sequences which vary according to user input and other factors.

To address the deficiencies in prior data streaming and local software delivery systems, an improved technique of delivering applications to a client for local execution has been developed. This technique called “Streaming Modules” is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,221 to Raz et al. In a particular embodiment of the “Streaming Modules” system, a computer application is divided into a set of modules, such as the various Java classes and data sets which comprise a Java applet. Once an initial module or modules are delivered to the user, the application begins to execute while additional modules are streamed in the background. The modules are streamed to the user in an order which is selected to deliver the modules before they are required by the locally executing software. The sequence of streaming can be varied in response to the manner in which the user operates the application to ensure that needed modules are delivered prior to use as often as possible. To reduce streaming time, the size of code files, such as library modules, can be reduced by substituting various coded procedures with shortened streaming “stub” procedures which act as link-time substitutes for the removed code. Suitable modules to replace are those which are not required for the initial execution of the application. As the application is running locally on the client, additional modules are streamed to the client and the stub code can be dynamically replaced as the substituted procedures are received. The stub procedure can point to a streaming engine which will request a missing procedure if the program calls it before it has been received at the client. Although effective, the stub-code substitution technique used in the “Streaming Modules” system may require a reasonable degree of processing to prepare a given application for streaming. In addition, the client software required to manage the streamed modules does not necessarily integrate cleanly with the normal routines used by the operating system executing on the client machine.

To remedy some of the remaining issues, U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,618 to Eylon et al. disclosed a method and system for executing network streamed applications. Within the system, a client computer executes an application while parts of the application code are still being retrieved from the server over a network. The additional components of the application not required for startup are continuously loaded in the background until the entire application resides on the client computer. There are a number of drawbacks with this system though. The client cannot function without the server being available. Although, the application is physically available on the client once downloaded, due to encryption or other proprietary methods of preventing unauthorized access, the application is unavailable. Further, the prior art does not permit a user to access the server and applications from multiple client locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is needed is an improved system having features for addressing the problems mentioned above and new features not yet discussed. Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing a virtual application manager. It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, a process, an apparatus, a system or a device. Inventive embodiments of the present invention are summarized below.

In one embodiment, a method for managing one or more applications over a network is provided. The network is connected to a server system and to a client computer. The method comprises receiving user login information; accessing a user profile associated with the login information, wherein the user profile includes a user environment configuration; selecting transport protocols based on the user profile, wherein the transport protocols are protocols for transporting information between the server system and the client computer; and synchronizing the user environment configuration with a client environment configuration on the client computer.

In another embodiment, a system for managing one or more applications over a network is provided. The system comprises a client computer including a client environment; and a server system including a database, wherein the server system is configured to be connected to the client computer via the network, to store the one or more applications, to store a user profile including a user environment configuration, and to synchronize the client environment with the user environment configuration.

In yet another embodiment, a server system for managing one or more applications over a network is provided. The server system comprises a database, wherein the server system is connected to a client computer having a client environment, to store the one or more applications, to store a user profile including a user environment configuration, and to synchronize the client environment with the user environment configuration.

In still another embodiment, a method for managing one or more applications over a network is provided. The network is connected to a server system, a first client computer and a second client computer. The method comprises receiving user login information from the second client computer; accessing a user profile associated with user login information, wherein the user profile includes a user environment configuration received from the first client computer; selecting transport protocols based on the user profile, wherein the transport protocols are protocols for transporting information between the server system and the second client computer; and synchronizing the user environment configuration with a client environment configuration on the second client computer.

The invention encompasses other embodiments are configured as set forth above and with other features and alternatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements.

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a virtual application manager (VAM), in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed, graphical representation of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a user environment maintenance process of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the synchronization process of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sample database record for an application of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a document type compatibility process of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for an operating system and hardware compatibility process of the VAM, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a transfer process of the VAM for when a user moves to a different client computer, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

An invention for a virtual application manager is disclosed. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be understood, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced with other specific details.

Overview of a Virtual Application Manager

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a virtual application manager (VAM) 100, in accordance with the present invention. The VAM 100 is a group of technologies that enable a client computer 101 and other personal computing hardware devices to execute software installed and maintained on a remote server system 104. The client computer 101 includes a client environment 102, which is a graphical interface on a display device that allows the user to interact with the VAM 100. A user may define certain preferences of the client environment 102. These preferences define icons, links, colors, fonts, and other characteristics to be displayed on the display device. The client environment 102 is preferably a desktop environment, a thin client environment, a laptop environment, a personal digital assistant environment, a palmtop environment, a workstation environment, or other type of environment suitable for user interaction. The client environment 102 is stored as a user environment configuration on the server system 104. The user environment configuration is part of the user profile for the particular user.

User profiles follow a user at network login and allow the user to run the same software defined in his user profile on different hardware devices. The server system 104 maintains login security, application catalogs, billing information for each user, and application profiles. This information, maintained at a central location, increases user flexibility and mobility by eliminating reliance on a single personal hardware device. Software is installed and maintained at a central server system 104 and can be utilized at an almost unlimited number of network locations having client computers 101.

Components of a Virtual Application Manager

FIG. 2 is a more detailed, graphical representation of the VAM 100, in accordance with the present invention. The VAM 100 maintains an application environment, providing fast installation distribution to remote end-user hardware devices, such as a client computer 101. Each user has an account and a user profile. The user profile is centrally located on a central server system 104. The server system 104 includes a server transaction processor 204 and a relational database 206. The server system 104 maintains the user profile, which includes a list of applications to which the user is subscribed and authorized, the user's local preferences for each application, the client environment 102, and configuration of the local hardware and operating system. Such remote maintenance allows a user to move to different hardware platforms and operating environments without re-installing applications.

The VAM 100 supports multiple server and network technologies that allow an application to appear to be installed locally. However, the application is not necessarily installed locally. The application may be installed locally at the client computer 101, installed locally with the code hosted and stored remotely on the server system 104, or stored and executed on the remote server system 104.

The VAM 100 includes but is not limited to a server transaction processor 204, an application catalog, an application installation scripter, a server relational database 206, a client program launcher 212, a client application database 210, a client processor 202, and a client environment 102.

The server transaction processor 204 is a network server processor, executing requests from a client computer 101. Such requests include but are not limited to login, send list of user applications, send list of all applications, send icon graphic file, and send application detailed information.

The application catalog is a database of applications installed on the central servers of the server system 104. The application list is transmitted via the server transaction processor 204.

The application installation scripter is distributed to clients via the server transaction processor 204. The application installation scripter contains instructions for the client processor 202 on environment updates to the client environment 102. Such updates include but are not limited to registry updates, application group, and start up menu instructions.

The server relational database 206 is a commercial relational database used to support high volume, high uptime requirements of daemon processes of the server transaction processor 204.

The client program launcher 212 is a proxy program launcher that manages which application is processed, which transport is activated, etc. Accordingly, an application is not launched directly by the user. The user launches the client program launcher, which in turn handles the launching of the application.

The client application database 210 is a transient database on the client computer 101. An entire user environment is transferred over the network 105 from the server transaction processor 204 onto this transient database created on the client computer 101. This database includes such things as the list of user applications and application descriptions.

A user login client uses the server transaction processor 204 to manage the login state of the user session, receive the user password from the client computer 101, and authenticate the username and password. When the user is authenticated, the client environment maintenance modules are activated.

The client environment maintenance modules include a client software catalog module. When the user requests to add or remove an application, the client software catalog module is activated. This module updates the user profile, adding or removing the application, and updating the personal computer environment to accommodate the new application. The application installation scripter completes the application install process, allowing immediate access to the application.

In a related technology, two transport technologies for distributed virtual applications are supported, including remote network file system technology and server based computing technology. An example of remote network file system technology is a remote network operating system remote drives. Such a system allows applications to be implemented and stored on a remote storage system, but executed locally on a personal computing device. Another example of a remote network file system technology is a virtual distributed file system. In this technology, the application code is completely hosted remotely; the applications are partially and temporarily stored and executed locally; local files may or may not be available on the local file system but will have a “backing stored” copy on a remote server. Such technology is described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/912,652, entitled “Virtual Distributed File System”, filed Aug. 4, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

An example of a server based computing technology is Unix® X11 xterminal protocol. In such technology, applications are stored and run on a remote Unix® system; the screen, keystroke and mouse movements are transferred over the network 105. Another example of a server based computing technology is Citrix® Technologies and Tarantella® Technologies. In such technologies, Microsoft® Windows® or Unix® applications are stored and run on a remote Unix® or Windows® server; the screen, keystroke, audio and mouse movement data is transmitted over the network 105.

A single user on a single personal computer device supports all the transport technologies described above. Such a setup provides maximum flexibility for the system administrator and shelters the user from this higher level of complexity.

In another related technology, a communications manager handles network monitoring, troubleshooting on end-user operating environments. Network deficiencies are immediately apparent and viewable by the dashboard gauges displaying network status and performance. In cases where other network paths are available, the communications manager can select alternate paths. The communications manager manages network monitoring and troubleshooting tools, network automatic disconnect and reconnect solutions, network interface, and technology arbitration technologies.

In yet another related technology, a virtual distributed data manager manages user files and databases often associated with user applications. The virtual distributed data manager includes remote network storage management of user data, synchronization of local data to a remote location and vice versa, and secure encrypted storage and management of remote data. The virtual distributed data manager is described in further detail in concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Transaction Based Virtual File System Optimized For High-Latency Network Connections”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Processes of a Virtual Application Manager

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a user environment maintenance process 300 of the VAM 100, in accordance with the present invention. A user initially logs into the VAM 100. Accordingly, in step 302, the VAM 100 receives user login information input by a user. Such login information may contain, for example, a username and a password. Each user account has an associated user profile. The user profile includes, among other things, a list of installed applications. The user profile is editable by the user. Moving to step 304, the VAM 100 selects the appropriate transport protocols or network access methods based on the user profile and parameters initially defined by the central administrator's installation selection. Each of the network access methods support server based remote hosted application storage or server based application execution. Accordingly, moving from one client to a different client is a rapid process because transferring the application code from the server system 104 to the different client is not required. Then, in step 306, the manager synchronizes the user environment configuration on the server system 104 with the client environment on the client computer 101. In an alternative embodiment, the step of synchronization takes place at a time other than during the time of login. For example, the user may input a request to perform synchronization procedures at another convenient time while the user is logged into the VAM 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the synchronization process 306 of the VAM 100, in accordance with the present invention. In step 402, the VAM 100 checks the user profile for updates to the previously installed applications. If the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 404 that no new updates are available, the synchronization process 306 proceeds to step 408. However, if the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 404 that new updates are available, the VAM 100 updates the appropriate applications in step 406. This update process involves downloading application updates from the server system 104 to the client computer 101. The synchronization process 306 then proceeds to step 408.

The VAM 100 checks the user profile in step 408 for new applications to be installed on the client computer 101. If the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 410 that no new applications are to be installed, the synchronization process proceeds to step 414. On the other hand, if the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 410 that new applications are to be installed, the VAM 100 installs the new applications in step 412. Many applications have server based installation mechanisms provided by software vendors. In the cases where network installation is not provided, tools and technologies are built into the VAM 100. Examples of such tools include tracking of new install net change to the system and distributing custom install scripting language throughout the system. Smaller software packages run from the network substantially the same as when installed to a local drive. Larger applications are more sophisticated and often require administrator customization. The software tools help administrators tune network installations to reduce or eliminate end-user interaction with installations on end-user systems. The synchronization process 306 then proceeds to step 414.

The VAM 100 checks the user profile in step 414 for any new environment configurations. If the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 416 that no new environment configurations are available, the synchronization process proceeds to step 420. However, if the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 416 that new environment configurations are available, the VAM 100 reconfigures the environment in step 418. Environment configurations include but are not limited to registry entries, temporary file directories created and file permissions, application icons, and application links. Application icons are downloaded from the server system 104 and stored locally for use on the client computer 101. As an example, when a particular icon is not on the local client computer 101 but is part of the environment configuration, that particular icon is transferred from the server system 104 to the local client computer 101. Likewise, application links are added to the desktop, user groups, the start menu and other locations as defined by the environment configuration. The synchronization process 306 then proceeds to step 420.

The VAM 100 checks the client computer 101 in step 420 for expired applications. If the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 422 that the client computer 101 has no expired applications, the synchronization process 306 is completed. On the other hand, if the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 422 that the client computer 101 does have expired applications, the VAM 100 performs expiration procedures in step 424. Upon user login, user profiles stored on the server system 104 contain an application expiration time and date value. Each application has its own expiration stamp. The central server system 104 maintains this expiration information. Application modules are stored on the client computer 101 encrypted. Accordingly, these application modules are unavailable for use outside of the virtual application manager program launcher 212. Such encryption prevents the user from executing the software in violation of the expiration time and date stamps. For an expired application, desktop icons and start menu links disappear from the client environment 102, or are grayed out to indicate the application is inactive or unavailable. The synchronization process 306 is then completed.

Note that the steps of the synchronization process 306 may be executed in an order other than the specific order illustrated by FIG. 4. For example, in an alternative embodiment, step 408 checking for new applications may come before step 402, checking for application updates. Further, the synchronization process 306 is not limited to the specific synchronization steps illustrated in FIG. 4, and may include other appropriate synchronization steps. Conversely, the synchronization process 306 does not necessarily have to include all of the steps illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a sample database record 500 for an application of the VAM 100, in accordance with the present invention. The server system 104 maintains such records for available applications installed on the server system 104. Application attributes stored in this database record 500 include but are not limited to the application vendor 502; the application type 504; the application name and alias names 506; the application version, mirror version and patch level 508; the hardware and operating system compatibility 510; the application version group 512; the transport and access methods 514; the XML or HTML descriptions; and the HTTP links. Other information related to the application that may be stored in the server system 104 includes but is not limited to usage statistics by user, software modules related to each application, software module usage statistics, software reviews and ratings, user software feedback ratings, billing prices and billing usage logs, and statistics such as size of application.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a document type compatibility process 600 of the VAM 100, in accordance with the present invention. The VAM 100 maintains a mapping between document (or file) types and appropriate applications that can support the document data formats. In some cases, a user may select a document outside of an application. Accordingly, in step 602, the VAM 100 receives the selection of the document that the user made outside of an application. The manager then checks, in step 604, for a default document type that may already be associated with the selected document. If the VAM 100 determines in decision operation 606 that a default association is available, the compatibility process 600 proceeds to step 612. On the other hand, if the manager determines in decision operation 606 that a default association is not available, the compatibility process 600 moves to step 608.

The VAM 100 provides, in step 608, a list of installed applications that may be associated with the selected document. As an alternative to step 608, the VAM 100 may provide another mechanism for selecting a document type. For example, the VAM 100 may respond to a user right clicking the mouse on a document by providing a list of installed applications having the ability to utilize the selected document and to read the document formats. The user may then select from the provided list of installed applications. In step 610, the VAM 100 receives the selected application association. The compatibility process 600 then proceeds to step 612.

The manager opens the file in the associated application in step 612. The compatibility process is then completed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for an operating system and hardware compatibility process 700 of the VAM 100, in accordance with present invention. The VAM 100 maintains a mapping between document (or file) types and the appropriate application compatible with the particular hardware device and its operating system. When a user logs into the VAM 100, the VAM 100 receives the configuration of the hardware device and operating system in step 702. Also, the VAM 100 undergoes a synchronization process 306, as mentioned above with reference to FIG. 4. During the synchronization process 306, the manager may install new applications in step 412. Alternatively, the user may instruct the VAM 100 to install an application at a time other than during the time of login. For the application to be installed, the VAM 100 checks whether the application is compatible with the particular hardware and its operating system. The VAM 100 can check compatibility because the server system 104 keeps a database record 500 for each application and because the VAM 100 obtained configuration information in step 702.

Performing the compatibility process 700 allows the VAM 100 to do at least the following: prevent an incompatible application from being installed on a particular environment; select the compatible version of the application to be installed; and support a user moving from one client computer to another client computer, even when the hardware and operating system are not compatible and require different applications or application versions.

If the manager determines in decision operation 706 that the application to be installed is not compatible with the particular hardware and operating system, the compatibility process 700 proceeds to step 710. In such a case, the VAM 100 does not install the application. On the other hand, if the VAM 100 determines that the application is compatible with the particular hardware and operating system, the compatibility process 700 proceeds to step 708. In such a case, the VAM 100 downloads the application from the server system 104 and installs the application on the client computer 101. The compatibility process 700 is then completed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for a transfer process 800 of the VAM 100 for when a user moves to a different client computer, in accordance with the present invention. The client computer 101 contains a client application database 210, which includes a replication of the application software catalog on the server system 104 and a catalog of the applications to which the user is subscribed. The client application database 210 also contains a copy of the user preferences stored centrally on the server system 104. As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 2, an entire user environment is transferred over the network 105 from the server transaction processor 204 onto this transient database created on the client computer 101.

When a user moves to a different client computer, the user may log into the VAM 100. In such a case, the VAM 100 receives the user login information from the different computer in step 802. Such login information may contain, for example, a username and a password. Each user account has an associated user profile. The user profile includes, among other things, a list of installed applications. The user profile is editable by the user. In step 804, the VAM 100 selects the appropriate transport protocols or network access methods based on the user profile and parameters initially defined by the central administrator's installation selection. Each of the network access methods support server based remote hosted application storage or server based application execution. Accordingly, the VAM 100 can make this movement to the different client computer a process that is relatively seamless. The VAM 100, in step 806, transfers the user environment configuration stored on the server system 104 to the client environment on the different client computer.

The VAM 100 may be used in conjunction with the virtual distributed file system (VDFS), which is discussed in further detail in U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 60/577,148, filed Jun. 3, 2004, entitled “Virtual Management System”. Accordingly, the VAM 100 may have the ability to provide application module installation pipelining, which is a process that is initiated when a user moves to a different client computer. When a user initially logs into a new client computer, the VDFS modules transfer the statistically often-used program modules to this different client computer. Such a transfer process prevents delays when running applications on the different client computer for the first time. The VAM 100 knows the entire application set to which the user is subscribed and has statistics on how often each module is accessed. With this knowledge, the VAM 100 can initiate the preloading of often-used user applications on the client computer. The VDFS transfers only the statistically often-used modules. This process is done in the background, using network resources not used by the user. This process, thereby, does not impede network performance.

According to systems and methods described above, the VAM 100 allows a user to use and run applications on a client computer 101, while the applications are stored and managed by a centralized server system 104. The VAM 100 includes but is not limited to hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof.

Advantageously, the user may move freely from one client computer 101 to another client computer. When a user logs into the VAM 100 using the other client computer, the user's entire user environment, or a compatible portion thereof, is transferred from the server system 104 to the other client computer. Accordingly, the user is not limited to using only one particular client computer 101. Nor is the user limited to one particular type of operating system. The user also does not have to worry about carrying around applications to be installed on other client computers. The management of the applications, the user environment configuration, the client environment configuration, the transport protocols and the access methods, among other things, are handled by the server system 104. Such central management allows software vendors to rent software packages and to control time limits on applications via the VAM 100. Software vendors can thereby manage application subscriptions, even if the software packages are stored locally on a client computer 101.

Capabilities of a Virtual Application Manager

The VAM 100 provides desirable capabilities discussed above and further highlighted in the following discussion.

Centralization—This technology provides the ability for a user to use and run applications that are stored on and managed by a centralized location.

ASP—The technology has the facilities to support an application service provider (ASP).

Enterprise—The technology can benefit business enterprise application architectures.

Robust—The VAM 100 is capable of executing and managing resource intensive applications requiring support for high CPU utilization, high-end graphics and audio support.

Movable applications—The applications defined within a user's profile will run on any hardware system the user logs into. The user can thereby move from one client computer to another and have his application follow.

Offline operation—The software applications have the ability to run disconnected from the central server and network. The applications do not have to be stored and run solely at the server system 104. The applications may be stored and run from client computer, thereby allowing offline operation.

Quick installation—the software is capable of running on a user's computer with a minimal setup delay. Minimal setup time is required to allow applications to move from one client computer to another.

Installation management—The system provides an infrastructure for systems to provide installation and configuration management.

Full software install—The software should optionally be fully installable to support full offline usage when disconnected from the network.

Patch management—User applications should be automatically updated and maintained from the central location. This allows the application of patches and updates to be managed centrally and automatically.

Scalability—The system should be scaleable to support extremely large ASP user bases over disparate network topologies.

License/subscription management—The system supports subscription licenses. So, when the subscription is void or expired, the desktop software will become disabled and inactive.

Versatile—The system provides support for disparate end user hardware, including IBM® compatible PC's, Apple® PC's, thin clients and personal digital assistants.

Multiple transports—The system will run over multiple network and application protocols, including server based computing transports created by Citrix® and Tarantella® corporations, Unix X11 xTerm® protocols, and network file access protocols including Microsoft® SMB/Netbios, Netware®, Unix NFS®, and the virtual distributed file system (VDFS).

Billing—Usage data should be available to track application usage, including access times and durations.

Subscriptions—Control over application usage has to be available to allow centrally an application's usage, such as allowing a time limit on an application, after which the application even if stored locally will expire and be inoperable.

System and Method Implementation of a Virtual Application Manager

Portions of the present invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventional general purpose or a specialized digital computer or microprocessor programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art.

Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention includes a computer program product which is a storage medium (media) having instructions stored thereon/in which can be used to control, or cause, a computer to perform any of the processes of the present invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, mini disks (MD's), optical disks, DVD, CD-ROMS, micro-drive, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memory devices (including flash cards), magnetic or optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), RAID devices, remote data storage/archive/warehousing, or any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data.

Stored on any one of the computer readable medium (media), the present invention includes software for controlling both the hardware of the general purpose/specialized computer or microprocessor, and for enabling the computer or microprocessor to interact with a human user or other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, and user applications. Ultimately, such computer readable media further includes software for performing the present invention, as described above.

Included in the programming (software) of the general/specialized computer or microprocessor are software modules for implementing the teachings of the present invention, including but not limited to receiving user login information, accessing a user profile associated with the login information wherein the user profile includes a user environment configuration, selecting transport protocols based on the user profile wherein the transport protocols are protocols for transporting information between the server system and the client computer, and synchronizing the user environment configuration with a client environment configuration on the client computer, according to processes of the present invention.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A method for managing one or more applications over a network according to a user profile associated with user login information, wherein the network is configured to be connected to a server system and to a client computer, the method comprising: receiving user login information; accessing the user profile associated with the login information, wherein the user profile includes a user environment configuration based on the user profile; synchronizing the user environment configuration with a client environment configuration on the client computer; and preloading at least one of the one or more applications according to the user profile onto the client computer from the server system by loading application modules from one or more application modules.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the client computer contains a pre-installed application of the server system, wherein synchronizing the user environment comprises at least one of: checking for an update to the pre-installed application; determining that an update is available for the pre-installed application; and updating the pre-installed application.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the user environment comprises at least one of: checking for a new application to be installed onto the client computer; determining that a new application is available to be installed onto the client computer; and installing the new application onto the client computer.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the user environment comprises at least one of: checking for a new client environment configuration; determining that a new client environment configuration is available; and reconfiguring the client computer according to the new client environment configuration.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the user environment comprises at least one of: checking for an expired application stored on the client computer; determining that the client computer contains an expired application; and performing an expiration procedure.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the user environment comprises one of: synchronizing the user environment automatically during a time of user login; or synchronizing the user environment upon receiving a user initiated request to perform the synchronization.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user environment configuration includes at least one of: a registry entry; a temporary file directory; a file permission; an application icon description; and an application link description.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request to open a document, wherein the request is initiated outside of the one or more applications; and checking for a default document type having an associated installed application on the client computer.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one of: determining that a default document type is attached to the document; and opening the document with the associated installed application.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one of: determining that a default document type is not attached to the document; and providing a list of installed applications that are compatible with the document and with the client computer.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a configuration of the client computer, wherein the client computer includes a hardware device and an operating system; receiving a request to install an application onto the client computer; and checking compatibility of the application with the configuration of the client computer.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining that the application is compatible with the configuration of the client computer; and installing the application onto the client computer.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining database records including at least one of: login security information; an application catalog; billing information for each user; and an application profile for each of the one or more applications, wherein each application profile includes at least one of: application vendor information; an application type; an application name; an alias name; an application version; a mirror version; a patch level; hardware and operating system compatibility information; a list of compatible comparable applications; an application version group; transport and access methods; an XML description; an HTML description; and an HTTP link.
 14. A system for managing one or more applications over a network, the system comprising: a client computer including a client environment; and one or more servers including a database, at least one of the servers comprising a processor, wherein the servers are configured to be connected to the client computer via the network, to store the one or more applications, to store a user profile including a user environment configuration accessed by a user login, and to synchronize the client environment with the user environment configuration wherein the processor is configured to preload at least one of the one or more applications onto the client computer from the servers by loading application modules from one or more applications.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the server system further includes a transaction processor configured to execute requests from the client computer, wherein the transaction processor is connected to the network and to the database.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the client computer further includes a display device, wherein the client computer is configured to render the client environment on the display device in accordance with the user environment configuration.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the client environment is one of: a desktop environment; a thin client environment; a laptop environment; a personal digital assistant environment; a palmtop environment; and a workstation environment.
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the database contains one or more stored applications to which a user may subscribe.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the user profile further includes a list of one or more authorized applications to which the user is subscribed, wherein the one or more stored applications includes at least the one or more authorized applications.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more stored applications includes one or more unauthorized applications to which the user is not subscribed.
 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the user profile further includes the application local preferences including preferences of an application defined by a user.
 22. The system of claim 14, wherein the client computer further includes local hardware and an operating system, wherein the user profile further includes a configuration of the client computer, wherein the server system is configured to collect and store the configuration of the client computer, wherein the server system is configured to compare compatibility of the one or more applications with the configuration of the client computer.
 23. The system of claim 15, wherein the client computer further includes a client processor, wherein the transaction processor is configured to send an application installation scripter to the client computer, wherein the application installation scripter includes instructions for the client processor on updates to the client environment, wherein updates to the client environment are consistent with the user environment configuration stored on the server system.
 24. The system of claim 14, wherein the client computer further includes a client program launcher configured to launch an authorized application, wherein the client program launcher is a proxy program launcher.
 25. The system of claim 14, wherein the server system maintains at least one of: login security information; an application catalog; billing information; and application profiles.
 26. The system of claim 14, further comprising another client computer including another client environment, wherein the server system is further configured to synchronize the user environment configuration with the other client environment, wherein the user environment configuration stored on the server system includes preferences defined by the client computer, wherein the preferences defined by the client computer are transferred to the other client computer during synchronization of the user environment configuration with the other client environment. 27-35. (canceled)
 36. A client computer configured to connect to a server system via a network, wherein the server system is configured to manage applications over the network, the client computer comprising: a client environment; and a processor; wherein the client computer is configured to synchronize the client environment with a user environment configuration received from the server system, wherein the user environment is based on a user profile accessed by a user login, wherein the user profile is stored on the server system and customized for a user, wherein the client computer is configured to be preloaded with at least one of the applications from the server system by being loaded with application modules from one or more application modules.
 37. The client computer of claim 36, further comprising: a database configured to store the client environment; and a display device, wherein the client computer is configured to render the client environment on the display device in accordance with the user environment configuration.
 38. The client computer of claim 36, wherein the client computer is configured to send a request to the server system to update the user profile stored on the server system.
 39. The client computer of claim 38, wherein the request to update the user profile is at least one of: a request to update a pre-installed application stored on the client computer, wherein the user profile includes a user subscription and a user authorization to the pre-installed application; a request to install a new application onto the client computer, wherein the new application is stored on a database of the server system; a request to change a user environment stored on the server system, wherein the user environment configuration is based on a client environment configuration of the client computer; and a request to subscribe to an expired application stored on the server system. 40-49. (canceled)
 50. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more application modules comprise statistically often-used application modules.
 51. The system of claim 14, wherein the application modules comprise statistically often-used application modules.
 52. The client computer of claim 36, wherein the application modules comprise statistically often-used application modules. 